On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 11:21:40AM -0400, David George wrote:
> On 04/20/2009 10:50 AM, Tim Litwiller wrote:
>> This fall I'd like to upgrade my DirecTV to HD. What are my options
>> going to be for recording from 2 or 3 stb? I think all but one of my
>> front ends is already capable - but the main one is ubuntu on an
>> appletv so that one will most likely have to be replaced.
>>>> My backend is a 3ghz P4HT I supposed it will depend on the type of
>> capture devices required if that will be fast enough.
>>>> I'm looking for information from anyone that has done this or has
>> already researched this type of conversion.
>> I've search the archives and only found a few scattered tidbits of
>> information - so I got thinking I better start gathering information
>> now rather than later.
>> Right now you only option is to use the Hauppauge HD-PVR and record from
> the component outputs of your HD receivers. You could also use an
> R-5000 enabled Directv receiver with an available patch, but that will
> only allow you to receive MPEG2 HD channels (the NY and LA network
> channels, TNT, ESPN, HDNET, maybe another channel or two, not many).
>> Using the HD-PVR you will currently need to be able to control your
> Directv receivers via serial connection. See this page for more info:
>http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Controlling_DirectTV_D11_via_USB . There has
> been work to enable the IR blaster on the HD-PVR, but I am not sure
> where that stands right now.
>> Backend speed shouldn't matter.
The frontend is the tricky bit. OTOH, you can force the STB to output
480p only as a stopgap measure. Even an AppleTV can handle this. The 720p
and 1080i content however will require either beefy machines or vdpau
enabled processors. Some slower processors can handle 720p but they stutter
on certain types of "cinema verite" content.
As far as bitrates go, I just use the defaults.
My DTV unit is setup to output 480p or 720p.